Starkville High School principal resigns

STARKVILLE -- Starkville High School Principal Kathi Wilson submitted her resignation Wednesday to Starkville School District Superintendent Judy Couey.

Wilson''s resignation is effective June 30. She did not indicate her reason for leaving or her future plans, SSD public information officer Nicole Thomas said.

Calls to Wilson were not immediately returned this morning. Wilson was the first woman to be named the school''s principal on April 14, 2005, although she officially began work July 1 of that year.

"Mrs. Wilson has spent the past four years of her professional career at SHS, and I wish her the best as she pursues her future career plans," Couey said in a statement.

Wilson''s career at SHS hasn''t been without controversy. Wilson was found guilty in May 2006 for assaulting SHS teacher Lisa Vickers by grabbing and causing injury to Vickers'' wrist. The misdemeanor conviction carried a $500 fine.

The charge later was dismissed in circuit court. 16th Circuit Court Judge Lee Howard withheld Wilson''s plea of creating a disturbance in a public place and placed Wilson on two years of non-adjudicated probation.

Wilson''s resignation is not official until it is approved by the Starkville School District board of trustees. The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Couey plans to begin the process of searching for a new principal for the 2009-2010 school year immediately.